Try to crack a joke at his expense, he will beat you to the punchline. Shahid Kapoor’s one helluva smart boy. He thinks on his feet, his moves off screen will always be a mystery. He's been linked to Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu, Nargis Fakhri and many more. But he deflects all my attempts to stymy him with the moves of a grandmaster. In short, you can't pin Shahid Kapoor down. Easily, one of the most gifted actors of his generation, Kunal Kohli's Teri Meri Kahaani could be his breakthrough film. Mysteriously, for all his talent, his career hasn't zoomed skywards as it ideally should have. Ah! The vampires of showbiz. His entourage of managers guards him like hawks but unmindful of the crowd in the room, I pose him one query after another. Excerpts...

How was it working with Priyanka Chopra again?Whenever PC and I work together it’s always fun. And I’m sure it’ll reflect in the film.

You worked with Priyanka after a reported breakup. Would you also work with Kareena who you were involved with at one point?I’ve never said no to working with her. I don’t know if she’ll be comfortable though. I can only speak for myself.

So what have you been up to with so much free time on hand?(Smiles) Celebrating my birthday in Goa!

Tell us a little about your Goa bash.Well, there were 30 of us and we had a three-day pool party. It was a blast. People ate when they felt like, slept when they felt like, went to the beach if they felt like, went into the pool, lazed around… Basically they were a few of my closest friends and we just had fun.

Many stories filtered in about Nargis Fakhri and you.Of course, there would be stories. I’m an actor, she’s an actress.

So what exactly happened there?Nothing. She came along with a lot of her friends and everybody had fun.

Reports said Nargis Fakhri had shifted into your apartment.(Laughs) I heard even her mother had shifted into my apartment! No, seriously, I hardly know Nargis. We’ve met four or five times. We have a common friend and that’s why she came for the party. People talk too much. Nargis is not even a buddy, she’s an acquaintance. It’s absurd to say we’re anything more than that. She has been to my house not more than twice with 10-12 people when I’ve had a get-together at home. There’s no reason for people to go on and on about it. It’s annoying!

Would you marry a woman who belonged to the film industry?I don’t know. I have no idea when I will get married. Industry, non industry… God knows! When I fall head over heels in love with a girl, I will tie her to my side and never let her go. Whoever she might be wherever she might be, I don’t care. As far as there’s truth and there’s trust.

Ranbir Kapoor and you have been bonding a lot recently.We kept bumping into each other, like at an award function. So we hung around and got chatting. Once in a while we catch up. We both like fast cars. He’s young and really chilled out. I’m comfortable with him. There is no awkwardness. It’s nice to hang around with people your age.